Paestum Cat Show - Love Edition
The international feline exhibition of Cilento at NEXT in Capaccio Paestum
About Paestum Cat Show
The major feline event in Southern Italy
The Paestum Cat Show - Love Edition is an international feline exhibition held in Capaccio Paestum, a town in the province of Salerno, in the heart of Campania. Organized by ANFI Campania (National Italian Feline Association) under the aegis of the international ANFI/FIFe circuit, the event has quickly become one of the most anticipated gatherings in Southern Italy for breeders, judges, and cat enthusiasts alike.
For two full days, the public can observe over three hundred cats from all over Europe, witness official judging sessions and Best in Show finals, meet breeders, and learn about the unique characteristics of each breed. It is more than just a beauty pageant; it is a true celebration of feline culture, perfect for newcomers to the world of cats and an ideal outing for families.
The NEXT: an industrial heritage site
The venue is NEXT - Nuova Esposizione Ex Tabacchificio, located in the Cafasso-Borgo Nuovo area. This former factory, a symbol of industrial architecture in the Piana del Sele, has been restored into a spacious, multifunctional exhibition center featuring bright, open-plan halls and ample parking for cars, coaches, and heavy vehicles. It provides the perfect backdrop for judging rings, exhibitor cages, and a pet-focused commercial area featuring stands for pet food, accessories, and specialized services.
Featured breeds
The exhibition showcases some of the most fascinating and rare breeds recognized by FIFe. Commonly represented breeds include:
- Maine Coon - the most numerous breed, with over seventy entries across all color varieties;
- Birman - the star of a dedicated single-breed final;
- Persian, Ragdoll, Siberian, and Norwegian Forest Cat - the magnificent long-haired and semi-long-haired breeds;
- British Shorthair, Bengal, and Russian Blue - among the most beloved short-haired breeds;
- Oriental and Siamese - known for their elegant, slender lines.
Cats compete in categories based on age: kittens (4-8 months), juniors (8-12 months), adults, and neuters, further distinguished by coat type.
International judges and Best in Show finals
Judging is conducted by an international ANFI/FIFe panel. For the Love Edition, the jury includes Helene Lis, Sara Moroni, Manuela Centamore, Vladimir Isakov, Alessio Schiavon, and Nico Padovano. The highlight is the Best in Show final, held on both days before the public, where the top cats from each category parade in the central ring and are presented individually with explanations of breed standards. Alongside the general finals, there are dedicated single-breed Best in Show events for Birman and Maine Coon cats.
A Love Edition inspired by Valentine's Day
Held during the Valentine's Day weekend, this edition celebrates love in all its forms: love for animals, beauty, and the local region. The program features themed rings inspired by history and literature's most famous couples—Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Paolo and Francesca—along with the special "Innamorati" (Lovers) award presented by ANFI Campania. The Saturday night gala dinner concludes the first day with the awards ceremony for the winners of the Campania Regional Championship.
A mission of solidarity
The Paestum Cat Show goes beyond competition. Each edition promotes a collection of supplies and materials for officially registered feline colonies in Campania, supporting those who care for free-roaming cats daily. It is a practical way to bridge the gap between professional breeding and animal welfare volunteering, raising visitor awareness about responsible pet ownership.
Discovering Capaccio Paestum and Cilento
Visiting the Cat Show is a great opportunity to explore the area. Just a few kilometers from the NEXT venue lie the famous Doric temples of Paestum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, complete with an Archaeological Park and National Museum. Further south, the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park begins. The region is also the home of the famous Buffalo Mozzarella (DOP) and the Paestum Artichoke. Even outside the summer season, the coast of Capaccio Paestum offers year-round accommodation.
Paestum Cat Show — edition 2026
Two days of exhibition during Valentine's Day weekend
Organized by ANFI Campania, the 2026 Love Edition brought over three hundred purebred cats to the NEXT venue in Capaccio Paestum, with the Maine Coon as the absolute star, boasting over seventy entries across all color varieties. Alongside them, the rings featured Birman, Persian, Ragdoll, Siberian, Norwegian Forest Cat, British Shorthair, Bengal, Russian Blue, Oriental, and Siamese breeds.
The theme chosen for this edition was love in all its forms—love for animals, beauty, and the local region—expressed through five themed rings inspired by famous couples and the special "Innamorati" award from ANFI Campania. On Saturday afternoon, the Best in Show for the Birman breed took place, followed by the Maine Coon final on Sunday, both succeeded by general finals. The Saturday night gala dinner hosted the awards ceremony for the 2025 Campania Regional Championship winners.
Value for the region
With thousands of visitors including exhibitors, enthusiasts, and families, the event confirmed its role as a showcase for Capaccio Paestum and the Cilento region even in the off-season, combining tourism promotion with a charitable mission supporting officially registered feline colonies in Campania.
Programme Paestum Cat Show 2026
Saturday, February 14, 2026
- 07:30-09:00 - Cat entry and veterinary check
- 09:15 - Catalog updates and color confirmation
- 09:30 - Official opening
- 10:00 - Judging begins
- 14:30 - ANFI Campania "Innamorati" special award
- 15:00 - Birman single-breed Best in Show, in collaboration with A.I.BIR and A.GA.B.I.
- 15:45 - General Best in Show
- 18:30 - Exhibition closes
- 21:00 - Gala dinner with awards for the 2025 Campania Regional Championship
Sunday, February 15, 2026
- 08:00-09:00 - Cat entry and veterinary check for Sunday participants
- 09:15 - Catalog updates
- 09:30 - Official opening
- 10:00 - Judging begins
- 15:30 - ANFI Campania Maine Coon single-breed Best in Show
- 16:30 - General Best in Show
- 18:00 - Exhibition closes
Open to the public from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on both days. Times are subject to minor changes based on organizational or judging requirements.
Highlights Paestum Cat Show 2026
- Over 300 purebred cats registered from across Europe
- International ANFI/FIFe jury: Helene Lis, Sara Moroni, Manuela Centamore, Vladimir Isakov, Alessio Schiavon, and Nico Padovano
- Maine Coon as the most represented breed, with over 70 entries
- Two single-breed finals: Birman (Saturday) and Maine Coon (Sunday)
- Five Valentine's Day themed rings: Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde, Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, Paolo and Francesca
- ANFI Campania "Innamorati" special award
- Saturday gala dinner with 2025 Campania Regional Championship awards
- Solidarity collection of products and materials for registered feline colonies in Campania
- Exhibition area with pet industry stands
Prices Paestum Cat Show 2026
Practical information — Paestum Cat Show
Location
NEXT - Nuova Esposizione Ex Tabacchificio, Via Cafasso 21, Cafasso-Borgo Nuovo, 84047 Capaccio Paestum (SA). GPS Coordinates: 40.419 N - 15.003 E.
How to reach us
- By car: A2/A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway, exit at Battipaglia or Eboli, then follow the SS18 towards Paestum. Ample parking is available for cars, coaches, and heavy vehicles.
- By train: Paestum station, approximately 3 km away, served by Intercity and regional trains; about 40 minutes from Salerno and 1 hour 40 minutes from Naples.
- By bus: Regional and interregional lines connecting Campania and Rome.
- By plane: Salerno-Costa d'Amalfi Airport (approx. 35 km) and Naples-Capodichino Airport (approx. 95 km).
Hours and tickets
Open to the public from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Full price ticket: 6 euros; family package: 10 euros (2 adults + 2 children). Free entry for children under 10, individuals with a disability rating of 75% or higher, uniformed law enforcement, and ANFI members with a valid card and ID. Tickets are also available online via the postoriservato.it circuit.
Useful tips
- For health and safety reasons, dogs, cats of any size, and other animals are not permitted inside the venue: please leave your pets at home.
- The Best in Show finals are the most spectacular part of the event: arrive early to secure a seat ringside.
- Always ask breeders for permission before touching or photographing cats in their cages.
- The weekend is perfect for combining the show with a visit to the Paestum Archaeological Park, just a few minutes away by car.
Contacts
ANFI Campania - tel. +39 329 0024140, e-mail [email protected], website anficampania.it
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Where does it take place — Paestum Cat Show
NEXT - Nuova Esposizione Ex Tabacchificio
Via Cafasso, 21 - località Cafasso, Borgo Nuovo, 84047 Capaccio Paestum